HISTORY
Hailed as Two of the most gorgeous virtuosos ever to emerge from Ailey Land, (Tobi Tobias,
New York Magazine), Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson had a vision for sharing their common appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism through dance. Their concept: bring many artists from various disciplines into one room and let their interaction be a springboard for innovative and envelope-pushing creativity. Group and individual artistic and spiritual growth was the catalyst for this creative process. This wunderkind, this blossoming of an idea was born in 1994 and was appropriately called Complexions.
The year should not have been auspicious; it was not a good time for arts organizations, yet their New York premiere at Symphony Space produced three sold-out shows and lines around the block. The company was critically acclaimed for its brilliance and high level of artistry.
Complexions is filled with a microcosm of today's hottest dance talents (
Attitudes Magazine).
In addition to their roster of gifted artists, Complexions has always sought to distinguish itself by grounding their cutting-edge choreography and original music within the roots of classical dance. From point to pop the company has harnessed various multi-media to mirror their times and to comment on the past. Inspired by social and political issues, and yet deeply personal, their works have always sought to ponder the human condition and to explore the full-range of human emotions.
As early as 1995, Complexions received the coveted New York Times Critics Choice Award and began touring. The company has subsequently been invited to perform at major European dance festivals including Italy's Parma Dance and Spoleto festivals, the Isle De Dance Festival in Paris, the Holland Dance Festival, the Steps International Dance Festival in Switzerland, the Grand Pas Moscow Ballet Festival, and Korea's Catch Prime Dance 1st Festival. Complexions has also performed on the stages of New York's Joyce Theater, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Lincoln Center, The Mahalia Jackson Performing Arts Center in New Orleans, the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Detroit's Music Hall, and the Los Angeles Music Center. Over the years Complexions has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. The upcoming season will include first time performances in Israel, Wales, Poland, on the stage of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and in Boston's Celebrity Series. Each new city gives them an opportunity to extend their message:
Complexions is more than dance... it is language itself.
